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SELECT VERSE 

for HOME and 

SCHOOL 



Compiled especially for use in 

schools from the writings of 

Carleton Everett Knox 



Published by 

The Knox Art Company 

Kansas City, Mo. 



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Copyrighted 1919 

By 

Carleton Everett Knox 

Kansas City, Mo. 



OCf -6 1819 f 

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A Morning Thought 

A bright new day is ushered in 

Each morn at rise of sun ; 
Our yesterdays are past and gone, 

A new life has begun ; 
So see to it our best we do 

Just now, nor morrow wait. 
For should we put it off till then 

We'll be one day too late. 

Don't worry, then, of days gone by, 

Or those that are to be ; 
The only time of which we're sure 

Is now — so let us see 
Improvement every day and hour. 

And at the set of sun 
We'll words of approbation hear, 

And they will be, "well done." 



Brotherhood 

I count that day well spent, when I 
Can hope inspire, or courage bring 

To one who's fighting 'gainst great odds, 
Who's found in life naught but the sting. 

When I can feel an answering throb 
In hand-clasp, or can catch a smile, 

I know I've touched his heart of hearts — 
He's grasped the thot that life's worth while. 

The inspiration I would give 

Comes back to me at such a time, 

Brings strength of purpose to my life, 
While common things are made sublime. 

In giving freely we receive 

The very things we fain would give, 
While pointing others to the road. 

We, too, in turn are taught to live ! 



This Is Life 

A little sun, a little rain, 
A little joy, a little pain, 
A song of praise, a dirge's strain. 
And this is life. 

Sometimes a crown, sometimes a cross, 
Sometimes pure gold and sometimes dross. 
Sometimes it's gain and sometimes loss, 
And this is life. 

Sometimes we're good and sometimes bad, 
Sometimes we're happy, sometimes sad, 
Sometimes good humored, sometimes mad. 
And this is life. 

Some poverty and then some wealth. 
Some days of pain and some of health, 
Some days of frankness, some of stealth, 
And this is life. 

A little wrong, a little right, 
A little day, a little night, 
A bit of shade, then all is light, 
And this is life. 



Whistle an Old Time Tune 

When blue and discouraged, when business is bad, 
When everything goes dead wrong. 

It's yourself that's to blame — just get in the game, 
And whistle an old-time song ! 

When clouds of despair seem to hover close by, 
If you would change midnight to noon. 

Just screw up your face with the best of good 
grace, 
And whistle a cheery old tune ! 

There are friends who'll desert you, when old age 
creeps on. 

When your feet are beginning to slip. 
But just you show sand, for the end will be grand, 

Should you die with a song on your lip ! 



Best Thoughts 



Let's have more faith in all mankind, 

As thru the world we go : 
For faith breeds hope, 

And hope breeds love — 

'Twould Heaven make here below. 

Let's have a smile for tear-dimmed eyes, 

A hand-clasp warm and true : 
A kind word given now and then, 

Would help life's journey thru ! 

Let's think pure thoughts ; let's use clean words ; 

Face wrong with fearless eyes ! 
Let's stand for right, and all that's good, 

Our face turned toward the skies ! 



Face the Old World With a Grin 

When the problems in Hfe seem too many, 
And you scarcely know where to begin, 

Just throw back your shoulders, and swallow that 
sob, 
And face this old world with a grin ! 

When weary of toil and of trouble. 

When tired of the pleasures of sin, 
Turn your face toward the sun, and the battle's 
half won 

If you face this old world with a grin ! 

When friends of your childhood forsake you, 

When harmony's lost in life's din, 
Jnst buck up, my boy, for there's lots of keen joy. 

If you face this old world with a grin ! 



10 



Smile 

Face the world with a smile — 
Life's always worth while: 

To the fearless is given a crown. 
Keep out the past — 
Disappointments can't last, 

Success was ne'er won by a frown. 



The Greatest Things 

The greatest things in this world of ours 
Are the things you'd perhaps call small, 

But a kind word here, 
And a smile given there 

Will banish the trouble and sorrow and care 
Of many a weary soul! 



11 



Always Joy 

Look up, not down ! Just smile, not frown ! 

Our life is what we make it ! 
Forget the past — clouds cannot last — 

There's joy : if we but take it ! 



The Best Day of All 

Let's make today the best of all, 
Let's answer every inward call 

That leads to better living. 
Let's strive anew for what is best. 
Let's succor give to those opprest. 

Our gain is in the giving. 



12 



Git Up and Git 

Don't ever say quit, 
A better word's — Git ! 

Be a git-up-and-gitter — that's better 1 
Don't ever say fail, 
Nor your sad lot bewail ; 

A git-up-and-gitter sounds better ! 

Don't ever say die ! 
A better word's — Try ! 

Just try and you surely will win ; 
Forget all your sighin', 
Cut out all your cryin' ! 

Just try, and you surely will win ! 



13 



Despise Not Little Things 

Thou, God, Who holdeth fast the universe in 

space ; 
Thou, God, Who painteth bright the tiny wild 

flower's face: 
This lesson I would learn of Thee — 
Despise no thing — it matters not how small it be. 

E'en tho my mind be filled with questions great. 
Mayhap of Freedom's Cause, or Rule of State, 
Let me not overlook the little things I find. 
For acts as these bind closer all mankind. 



14 



Love's Harvest 

This little thot I give to you — 
If to yourself you would be true, 
If love you wish, of love bestow, 
And love you'll find, where'er you go. 

For we shall reap of what we sow — 
Of joy and gladness, pain or woe — 
Let's sow of love : our harvest's sure, 
If thoughts be right, and motives pure! 



15 



A Friend 

The most wonderful thing in this world is to have 
A friend, who you know understands, 

Who shows it in eyes and who lists it in voice, 
Who throbs it in grasp of his hand. 

Who sees all the good, who is blind to the bad, 

Who shares in your sorrow or joy. 
It matters not what, he judges you not. 

Keeps the gold and forgets the alloy. 

Who shares of his portion and asks not return, 
Be it wealth, be it love, be it power, 

Such a friend has a worth beyond wealth of this 
earth — 
A solace in life's darkest hour. 

Who don't have to tell you in words he's your 
friend. 
It shows in each act he bestows. 
Let come then what will, blow the wind good 
or ill. 
He never misjudges — he knows. 



16 



If 



If you had but one day to live, 

I wonder how you'd live it ? 

Would you still scramble after power, 

And wealth pursue in your last hour ? 

I wonder how you'd live it ? 

If you had but one loaf to share, 
I wonder would you share it 
With one who hungered all alone, 
Or would you offer such a stone ? 
I wonder would you share it? 

If you had but one wish to make, 
I wonder would you make it 
A selfish one, meant all for you. 
Or would you wish for my good, too ? 
I wonder what you'd make it ? 



17 



The Secret of Happiness 

A little kindness shown each day 

To one less fortunate, 

Will bring into your life a joy 

That Wealth nor Place nor Power could buy. 

E'en tho it be a litle thing 

Unnoticed by the world, 

'Twill make for Peace/twill make for Worth, 

'Twill herald to this world a Birth 

Of Happiness Divine. 



18 



When One Loves 

When one loves no service seems too hard, 
For, in doing unto others we receive of our 

reward. 
Love lightens every burden; turns darkness 

into day ; 
Love leads us upwards, bids us hope; 
Love guards our lives alway. 



Charity 

Charity means not alone 
The adding gold unto one's purse 
Who needs of food and shelter warm. 
Unto my mind, he needs it worse 
Whose name's assailed by friend or foe 
Who takes snap judgment on an act 
Of which he does not know. 



19 



Truth 

Today the world is seeking truth ; 

Not mere belief will satisfy the hungry soul ; 

And truth is found in proving 

Whether thing be right or wrong. 

Today we're not content in knowing but a part ; 

We seek the whole. 



Alms 

So much Selfishness, so much Greed, 
Such little time we give, such little heed 
To those less fortunate than we ; 
God, soften hearts and loose the close purse 

strings, 
Help us to know the Joy, the Wealth, 
That giving always brings. 



20 



Hope 

Keep Hope abloom and every wish 

Your hungering heart desires, 
Will come and be a part of you 

When warmed by Hope's bright fires. 
Eternal Youth, the love of Man, 

The knowledge of a well spent Life, 
Will all be yours to have and to hold, 

And peace be yours instead of strife. 



Inspiration 

There's something stirs within this breast of mine 

Whene'er I hear the rhythm of marching feet : 
A something that would bid me do my part 

In bringing 'bout a victory complete. 
For when I hear the bugle's thrilling notes. 

Or see Old Glory waving in the sky. 
There's something stirs within this breast of mine, 

A something that would bid me do or die. 



21 



The Heart of a Friend 

Some people find pleasure in hoarding up gold, 

While others find joy in the spending of it ; 
But they'll find at the end of life's long, winding 
trail 
That the hoarding or spending didn't matter 
one bit. 

The big thing in life is in helping mankind, 
The joy that stays with us, that lasts till the end 

Will be ours. And a peace outweighing all else 
Will be found at life's close in the heart of a 
friend. 



22 



A Friendly Hand 

Methinks 'twill little matter at the end of life's 

long day 
How much of gold we've gathered here below. 
No matter how we've striven and no matter what 

we've won, 
Unless we've shown some kindness to the poor 

and weary one, 
We'll find at close of life it didn't pay. 

I think I'd rather find just then the touch of 

friendly hand, 
Of one I'd succor given here below; 
I'd rather look into his eyes and hear his word 

of cheer 
Than hold the wealth of Midas mine, aye, all the 

wealth down here, 
I'd give it all for touch of friendly hand. 



23 



The Rainbow's End 

What will we find at the close of Time, 

At the distant rainbow's end? 
The pot of gold we. had long dreamed of, 

Or love in the heart of a friend? 

Will place and position be given us. 
Will our ears ring with plaudits wild ? 

Or will heart beat warm with a new found joy 
At the merry laugh of a child? 

It is little thot we'll give these things : 

Gold and position and land, 
We'd give it all and count it gain 

For the touch of Mother's hand. 



24 



Grin 

Did you ever stop and ponder 

What a cheery grin would do, 
Not only to the other chap, 

But likewise unto you ? 
I'd liken it unto a glass 

Reflecting back to view. 
The smile or frown you gave to it — 

It's strictly up to you. 

A cheery "Howdy" helps a lot 

To stranger in far land, 
It sort o' cheers him on his way 

As touch of outstretched hand ; 
For lonesomeness is not alone 

Found far from haunts of men. 
But in the city's hurrying throng 

I've felt its presence then. 

It doesn't cost a single cent 

To pucker up and grin. 
And somehow I can't help but think 

It more or less a sin 
To never give a cheery smile. 

Nor bid a "Howdy-do" 
To one who's lonesome-like and sad ; 

So grin — 'twill help you, too. 



25 



Success 

Success is won if we do our part 
With a steadfast eye and a fearless heart, 
With never a thot of failure's share, 
But with purpose bold to do and dare. 

With eyes turned ever toward shining sun, 
We'll finish each task ere another's begun ; 
With never a whimper, with never a fear. 
But with voice attuned to manly cheer. 

A smile is an ally of true success, 
While a frown will a weary soul oppress ; 
A cheery word will your task beguile. 
Success is achieved thru work and thru smile. 



26 



The Inspiring West 

There's a something about this Westland, 

Found in mountains and prairies broad, 
That lifts one's soul from the sordid earth 

Right up to the Gates of God. 
It never is found in the cities, 

Filled with pretense, with sham and unrest, 
But it's found underneath the blue arch of the sky 

In this wonderful, heart-throbbing West. 



27 



Prize is Waiting Just Ahead 
For You 

When the world is lcK)king blue, 

And your plans are all askew, 

And you hardly know which way you best had 
turn, 
Brace your shoulders, lift your chin. 
Smooth that frown and grin, boy, grin. 

Prize is waiting just ahead for you. 

Race is won in the last heat. 

And the favorite oft is beat 

When he slacks his pace in thinking he has won. 

Keep on humpin' every day. 

In the end you'll find 'twill pay. 
Prize is waiting just ahead for you. 

Hope's the biggest word I know, 
Every doubt 'twill quickly throw 
In wrestling match, where rules are well observed. 

In the fray you'll need your muscle. 

For 'twill be no easy tussle. 
But the prize is waiting just ahead for you. 



28 



A Toast to the Pioneer 

Hats off to the early pioneers, 

Who conquered our prairies broad ! 
It took a lot of stick-to-it-iveness 

And a heap o' faith in God. 
When drouth and hoppers and wind and sand 

Came to try out their mettle and worth. 
These pioneers stuck in spite of it all — 

Hats off to these Kings of Earth ! 



29 



Make each today the best you've ever known ; 
Tomorrow's harvest will depend on seed today 
you've sown. 



Make today's mistakes serve as stepping stones 
toward tomorrow's success. 



In each task undertaken, prove either its value 
or worthlessness before another is begun. 

I would not ask that life for you be one of ease, 
For 'tis in overcoming that we grow. 



30 



Pray not for Wealth, or Power, or Ease, 

But rather ask that strength and wisdom be given 

you 
Whereby you may acquire these. 

The truly beautiful is seen only through 
The eyes of love, for love glorifies all. 

Why waste thy life in search of sordid gold 
When all along thy path lie riches of far 

greater value, 
A legal tender here on earth. 
An open sesame thru all worlds to come ? 



31 



The day is finished, 

All tasks undone remain undone, 

For each succeeding day brings problems new 

That brain and brawn doth task 

Till setting of the sun. 

The one thing — the great thing — 
The thing that makes man free — 
Is love of God, and love of Man, 
And love of Liberty. 

Try allowing your stomach rather than your 
head to ring your dinner bell — you'll live longer. 



32 



Try making your teeth do the work you are 
now forcing your stomach to do — you'll save 
doctor bills. 

Try forgetting the word forgot — put remember 
in its place. 

Try letting your heart, instead of your head, 
handle your charities — you'll sleep sounder. 

Try leaving unsaid an unkind thot and you'll 
not need to consult the beauty doctor. 



33 



Try gaining love by giving love and you'll find 
a hundredfold increase. 

I would judge man's love for God by the treat- 
ment he affords his fellow man. 

He who would succeed must give the best that 
in him lies, if recompense of vital worth be his 
as just reward. 

A man's bigness may well be measured by the 
little things he is willing to do. 



34 



Cultivate smiling; returns are sure and their 
worth greater than much gold. 

A grin's worth while, 
But a smile is better, 
While a cheery laugh 
Is a business-getter. 



35 



Close of Day 

Thank God for peace that conies at close of day, 
When all our petty cares are laid away ; 
When quiet reigns, when earth is hushed in sleep, 
God sendeth then His messengers their watchful 

care to keep. 
And then when morning dawns and day returns 

again, 
He gives us strength to do our daily task. 
And balm we find to heal our every pain. 



36 



Other Publications 

BROTHERHOOD 

A booklet of short verses rich mith inspira- 
tion and brotherly love for one's fellozv 
man. An excellent gift booklet. 

LOVE'S FANCIES 

Verses of sentiment and affection for a 
loved one. Send one to HIM or to HER. 

KANSAS LAND 

To all who love the fair Siinflozvcr State 
this book is written and dedicated. Some 
verses zuliimsical, some inspirational; all 
are enjoyable. 

The above booklets are attractively bound in art 
paper and well printed from clear type and are 
furnished with an envelope to match the binding. 
Get them from your dealer, or send direct to us. 
Price each, Twenty-five Cents. 



Particular attention is called to the fact that 
practically all of the poems and mottoes published 
in this volume are to be had in a large motto form, 
suitable for schoolrooms or homes. They are at- 
tractively printed on the best quality paper, and 
many of them have specially drawn designs and 
borders. Each of them is an example of high- 
grade, artistic printing and would make a most 
appropriate gift. 

They are about 9x12 inches in size and may be 
had either unmounted, for framing, or mounted on 
high-grade mounts with hangers, ready to be placed 
on a wall. 

If your local dealer does not have them, write to 
us direct. 

Prices on these mottoes are Twenty-five Cents 
each, unmounted, and Thirty-five Cents each, 
mounted. 

THE KNOX ART CO. 

710-12 Baltimore Avenue 
KANSAS CITY. MO. 



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